Understanding the Tree of Life: Embracing God's Goodness Beyond Knowledge of Good and Evil

Acquaint Now Thyself: A Spiritual Journey from Knowledge to Relationship with God

The ancient wisdom of Job 22:21 invites us to "acquaint now thyself with Him and be at peace; thereby good shall come unto thee." This verse speaks to a paradigm shift in our relationship with God—one that moves beyond simply asking what God can do for us, to understanding who God is to us.

In Genesis, we see the word "good" as God creates the world, establishing the trees in the Garden of Eden as good for food. But what does it mean for something to be "good," especially in light of the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil?

God tells Adam (Genesis 2:16-17) that he may eat freely from every tree except the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. But what happens when we metaphorically explore these trees in our own lives, beyond just literal interpretations? Could the Tree of Life represent our spirit, the Tree of Knowledge our flesh, and the other trees in the garden our souls?

The Metaphor of the Woman and the Serpent

When Eve, the "womb-man," converses with the serpent in the garden, we often see her as rebellious. However, what if this conversation reveals more than just disobedience? Was she simply listening to the same voice of God that had once been within Adam? This divine communication, at its core, is about the unveiling of humanity's creative and spiritual potential.

As Jesus teaches in Matthew 15:11, "What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." The "touch" spoken by the woman—whether to eat or not from the Tree of Knowledge—echoes the deeper spiritual truth that words and actions flow from the heart. How do we discern between what is truly "good" and what might come from the Tree of Knowledge, which could lead to death?

The Role of the Tree of Knowledge

Both the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge were planted in the garden, and the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge has always been associated with a form of "good" that introduces contrast—knowledge of good and evil. But what is the real danger of eating from this tree?

Before the Fall, Adam and Eve had no awareness of "good" or "evil." They knew only God’s creation as "good," but after eating from the Tree of Knowledge, they became aware of their nakedness—symbolizing fear, shame, and separation from God.

The key to understanding this story lies in the realization that "good" and "evil" are often shaped by human perception. When we act from the perspective of the Tree of Knowledge, we inevitably impose human limitations on what God has declared to be good. This is the essence of sin—the act of deciding for ourselves what is good or evil, rather than trusting in God's perfect will.

The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit

In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul speaks of the "fruit of the Spirit": love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This fruit, which comes from the Tree of Life, is the true reflection of God's goodness. To live in the fullness of God's plan is to recognize that it is not about what we can do for ourselves but about embracing who God is to us.

As we come to know God more deeply, we begin to move from a mindset of judgment—based on our human understanding of good and evil—into a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. This transformation leads us to live as the body of Christ, a unified people who manifest God’s love in the world.

The Cross and the Tree of Knowledge

Jesus hung on the Tree of Knowledge, the cross, which symbolizes the ultimate reconciliation of mankind’s fallen state. In Him, we find redemption not only for our sins but for our perception of what is "good." The cross becomes the point of transformation where the knowledge of good and evil is swallowed up by the life-giving power of the Tree of Life.

We are called to leave behind the limitations of the Tree of Knowledge and embrace the fullness of life in Christ. As we do, we experience an unfolding of divine wisdom that transcends our understanding of good and evil. We begin to walk in a reality where God is love, light, and life—where time, space, and the limitations of our natural world dissolve in the presence of the resurrected Christ.

Come Up Higher: Embrace the New Reality in Christ

If you’ve ever struggled to reconcile the complexities of life—politics, relationships, religion, or culture—know that the solution lies in coming up higher into the realm of God's divine perspective. When we ascend spiritually, we find that the fruit of the Holy Spirit enables us to see beyond the constraints of this world.

The Kingdom of God is not a future event but a present reality. As we embrace the power of the Holy Spirit, we become living epistles of God's love and truth. This is the life we are called to live—the resurrected life of Christ in us.

If this journey from knowledge to relationship with God resonates with you, I invite you to take the next step in deepening your spiritual understanding. My book, Rapture: A Transformation of Christ in You, delves deeper into the truths shared in this post and provides practical guidance for living a life in tune with God's divine will.

Order your copy today and begin your transformation into the fullness of who God created you to be. Rapture: A Transformation of Christ in You